Category Archives: Haircuts

A lot of people laugh when they see ‘Detangle‘ on our salon menu. “Is that a real thing?” they ask. Anyone whose child has had serious snarls knows that it’s no laughing matter! There are a lot of reasons why major tangles happen and we’re not here to judge, but we are here to help!

The Best Brush:

The Tangle Teezer is a soft plastic brush that glides through knots with ease. Great for every day use on all types of hair (I use it myself!), it doesn’t pull or hurt the way many brushes do. Children love the simple design and it comes in a range of bright, fun colors.

Available at our store!

Our Favorite Detangler:

We’re big fans of Fairy Tales products for their natural and gentle approach to children’s haircare. Our stylists love the Detangling Spray! It softens and smooths the hair, making brushing much easier. It’s also great to tame frizz and static.

This is a great on-the-go product for daily upkeep and doesn’t need to be rinsed out.

Also available as a shampoo or conditioner. Available in our store, along with many other great Fairy Tales products!

The Runner Up: Our stylist Rosie loves the Glop & Glam Creamsicle Mist. The fun color and sweet scent are appealing to kids, but best of all, it really works! Like Fairy Tales, Glop & Glam is free of parabens and other nasty chemicals.

The Secret Weapon

Our stylist Nellie recommended the Lemon-Aid Conditioner to work out the really tough knots. While the intention of Lemon-Aid is to remove chlorine and chemical build up (which can also cause tangles), Nellie finds that it also works great to aid detangling. She regularly uses it at the salon in combination with the Tangle Teezer for those tougher-than-average tangles. Just be sure to rinse it out after use, as it is not a leave-in.

Nellie pointed out that many of the difficult tangles we see at the salon are caused by chlorine build-up. Just one dip in the pool and chlorine is there to stay if not cared for properly.

So now that you’re armed with your tools, where to start?

Start at the bottom. Always start brushing from the bottom of the hair and work your way up. Separate the hair into sections to make this easier and clip aside parts that are already done. Use the detangler liberally and take your time. Hold the hair above the knot between your fingers to help prevent pulling.

What if you can’t get all the knots out?

Sad but true, some knots are just too tough to tangle with. Hair that has not been combed through in several days can become matted and painful for sensitive little scalps. It may need to be cut off. Consult with a stylist if you feel like this is the only option for you. They are patient and will take the time to make sure the haircut is the last resort. I’ve seen them work some miracles!

If you’re booking an appointment with us and feel your child may need a detangle, please let us know in advance so we can leave appropriate time to take care of your little one’s lovely locks!

A few more tips…

Just remember, like your own hair, your child’s hair needs special attention! Kids with sensitive scalps can benefit from a gentle approach. Keep an eye on older kids who are allowed to brush their own hair to make sure A) they are actually doing it (you’d be surprised!) and B) they are brushing all the way through all their layers and not just skimming the top.

Many parents come to us and ask, “What can I do to get my child excited about haircuts?” We decided to put together a few tips to help ease them into the process!

The “Cut”– For some kids, getting a haircut is just as scary as going to the doctor! Using the word ‘cut’ can sometimes frighten little ones, so if you feel your child is responding negatively, trying saying ‘trim’ or ‘style.’

Play Up The Fun– There are a lot of things to do beside get a haircut at our salon! Children can watch a movie of their choice (we have a selection, or you can bring your own DVD/iPad), parents can blow bubbles, there are toys to play with and lollipops to add a sweet distraction. Some kids look forward to coming here just to watch TV!

If You’re Nervous, They’re Nervous– Kids pick up on the smallest things, so if you are anxious about the haircut, they’ll often take on those feelings as well.

Take Them With You– If you’re planning a visit to your salon or barber shop, take them with you to show them it’s no problem! Adult cuts are also available at our salon, so you can show them how it’s done (and get a lollipop). They’ll get a kick out of having the same stylist!

Arrive Early– This can be a double edged sword depending on who is already in the chair, but many children are comforted seeing other children getting haircuts. Arriving early also gives time for your child to get acclimated to the store (though getting them away from the train table can be a whole new issue). Alternatively, check YouTube for videos of kids getting haircuts and watch them with your tot in preparation.

Offer a Reward– If all else fails, offer a special treat if the haircut is completed. Many kids are happy just with the lollipop and balloon we offer for free with each cut.